Scottish Field April 26
James Hunt contributed to the feature "Salmon: A Call to Arms" providing expert insight into the cause and diagnosis of Atlantic salmon decline.
Management
Who we are
The Law
Conservation
The River Tweed Commission
The River Tweed Commission (RTC) is the statutory authority responsible for the protection, regulation and management of salmon, sea trout and other freshwater fish within the River Tweed district. It regulates fisheries and holds enforcement and prosecutorial powers in both Scotland and England.
By law, the Commission comprises 81 elected Commissioners appointed from local authorities, angling clubs and salmon fishery proprietors across the Tweed district. Commissioners meet quarterly and elect a Committee of 8–12 members to act between meetings.
The River Tweed Commission is legally distinct from the Tweed Foundation and the River Tweed Salmon Fishing Museum. The Commission is responsible for fisheries regulation and enforcement, while the Tweed Foundation and Museum operate as independent charitable organisations focused on scientific research, river conservation, education and heritage.
Pictures: The annual opening celebration of the River Tweed Salmon Season in Kelso organised by the RTC and a Tweed Commissioners Meeting.
History of the RTC
The history of the River Tweed Commission is closely connected to the protection and management of the River Tweed and its internationally important Atlantic salmon population. For centuries, the river supported valuable commercial fisheries and played an important role in the economy and communities of both Scotland and England, while disputes over fishing rights, taxation and access were common along the border river.
Established in 1807, the River Tweed Commission was created to bring coordinated fisheries management and legal protection to the River Tweed catchment. Over more than 200 years, the Commission has evolved alongside advances in fisheries science, salmon conservation, river management and environmental protection, while continuing its central purpose of safeguarding the River Tweed and its migratory fish populations for future generations.
Read the full history of the River Tweed Commission in the downloadable PDF below.
River Tweed Commission Staff
Director
Jamie Stewart
Jamie joined the team as Clerk to the RTC and as Director for the Tweed Foundation in 2020.
Executive Administrator
Alison Gorrie
Alison started her role as the Executive Administrator for both the RTC and Tweed Foundation in 2020.
Head Fisheries Officer
Karl Ferguson
The Head Fishery Officer leads fisheries enforcement across the River Tweed district, overseeing the protection of salmon, sea trout and freshwater fisheries through enforcement, monitoring and conservation management.
Fisheries Officer
Jonathan Brown
Fishery Officers (Bailiffs) enforce fisheries laws and regulations across the River Tweed district, helping protect salmon, sea trout and freshwater fisheries through monitoring, enforcement and conservation work.
Fisheries Officer
Mike Allan
Fishery Officers (Bailiffs) enforce fisheries laws and regulations across the River Tweed district, helping protect salmon, sea trout and freshwater fisheries through monitoring, enforcement and conservation work.
Fisheries Officer
Jake Bell
Fishery Officers (Bailiffs) enforce fisheries laws and regulations across the River Tweed district, helping protect salmon, sea trout and freshwater fisheries through monitoring, enforcement and conservation work.
Communications & Fundraising Officer
Anne Woodcock
Anne leads communications, fundraising and events, including the Opening of the River Tweed Salmon Season in Kelso. She works across the River Tweed Commission, Tweed Foundation and the River Tweed Salmon Fishing Museum.
River Tweed Commission Committee
Chief Commissioner
Jonathan Reddin
Deputy Chief Commissioner
Ted Innes Ker
Committee Member
Kenny Annand
Committee Member
Peter Huddleston
Committee Member
James Pringle
Committee Member
Chris Foreman
Committee Member
Earl of Home
Committee Member
Ian Davis
Committee Member
James McCorquodale
Committee Member
Cameron Crawford
River Tweed Commission in the Media
Ocean Motion
The press release achieved strong local and national media coverage, including regional radio interviews and online news coverage.
Fishing TV Film
Jonathan Reddin, Chief Commissioner of the River Tweed Commission, featured in the Fishing TV film Opening the Tweed, filmed during the opening of the 2026 salmon season, highlighting the pressures and threats facing wild Atlantic salmon in the River Tweed.